Best Dutch documentary movies

13 Hours That Saved Britain (2011)

In this documentary, experts dissect the Battle of Britain, which took place on Sept. 15, 1940 — a day that determined the fate of the nation.

Farewell (2009)

Recently widowed from a man 50 years her senior and bored to tears with covering ladies fashion, Lady Grace leaped at the chance to be the only woman onboard one of the media sensations of the decade. At journey's end she returned to America a star, thanks to her good looks and gutsy charm. But her reports on the ship's travels for the front pages of the Hearst press empire only told part of the story. In her diary she recorded a far more intimate journey-her struggle to get over her secret affair with shipmate, mentor, and married man Karl von Wiegand. Combining spectacular archival footage of the journey across New York, Siberia, Tokyo, and the Pacific with narration drawn from Drummond's articles and her private journals, this sweeping black and white documentary stands as a vision of technological marvels and global hope in that narrow window between world wars when everything seemed possible except true love.

Mysterious Object at Noon (2000)

A camera crew travels through Thailand asking villagers to invent the next chapter of an ever-growing story.

AFIJN (Misha Mengelberg) (2006)

This feature-length documentary chronicles the life and playful methods of Dutch pianist and composer Misha Mengelberg, a significant figure in post-WWII European Jazz and free improvisation. Archival footage, rehearsal / performance sequences and interviews with both Mengelberg (the "godfather of Dutch improvised music") and key collaborators provide a clear insight in Mengelberg's original way of thinking and way of working.

A Skin Too Few: The Days of Nick Drake (2002)

Profile of musician Nick Drake, who was only 26 when he died in 1974 but whose three albums have been deeply and increasingly influential on the rock and pop world.

Betty: They Say I’m Different (2017)

An aspiring songwriter from a small steel town, Betty Mabry Davis arrived on the scene to break boundaries for women with her daring personality, iconic fashion style and outrageous funk. She befriended Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, wrote songs for the Chambers Brothers and The Commodores and married Miles Davis, turning him from jazz to funk and then went on to ignite stages in the 70s with her sassy sexed up mix of hard rock and bluesy funk, inspiring artists from Prince to Erykah Badu to Karen 0 and Peaches. Then she vanished…

The 5 Seconds of Summer Show (Live & Backstage In Amsterdam) (2023)

It’s a documentary (sort of). We loved performing for so many beautiful souls this year and wanted everyone who couldn’t join us to experience this too. Enjoy the 5 Seconds of Summer Show (Live & Backstage In Amsterdam).

Dolly Dots - Live in Carre (2004)

Snarky Puppy: We Like It Here (2014)

From the moment Snarky Puppy played its first overseas show to a sold-out London crowd, they felt at home in Europe. Recorded and filmed live with a studio audience over 4 nights in the Netherlands, 'We Like It Here' capture the band at its most exploitative point in its career, in both composition and improvisation. The film also contains over an hour of interviews, behind the scenes tour footage in Europe, and alternative solo takes from the recording sessions.

Within Temptation: The Silent Force Tour (2005)

Within Temptation's tour DVD in support of their album, "The Silent Force." The Silent Force Tour is a double DVD which was released on November 18, 2005. In addition to the standard double DVD release, the deluxe edition includes a bonus CD. The main concert features the band playing at the Java-eiland, Amsterdam. Three songs that were performed at the concert were not included on the release ("Somewhere", "Enter" and "Running Up that Hill"). The song "World of Make Believe" was also scheduled to be played, but keyboardist Martijn Spierenburg felt "unprepared" to play this song live. Live concert at the Java Island, Amsterdam,live videos from two European summer festivals (Helsinki, Finland, 2005 and Rock Werchter, Belgium, 2005) and the three music videos of off the album The Silent Force ("Stand My Ground", "Memories" and "Angels"). Disc 2 consists of Backstage footage, making of documentaries, Impressions and Interviews and extras.

Suzan & Freek: Between You & Me (2023)

A behind-the-scenes look at award-winning Dutch pop music duo, and romantic couple, Suzan & Freek's career.

Nao ’t Zuuje (2018)

Beyond, ode to the Earth (2024)

See the earth through the eyes of an astronaut. André Kuipers takes you on a magical film experience. He shows us the breathtaking beauty of our planet from space. This captivating film experience combines beautiful images with the timeless music of Oscar winner Vangelis and a special contribution by Armin van Buuren. The result is an ode to our planet and that is best appreciated on the big screen!

Snelle: Without a Coat (2021)

An intimate look into the life, career and creative process of Dutch rapper and singer Lars Bos a.k.a. Snelle.

In Ecstacy (2013)

In Extase' ('In Ecstacy') takes you on a journey through the fascinating world of Dance music. House, Techno, Hardcore, Trance, from the underground scene in a squatter's village to the immense Amsterdam Arena filled with 40,000 people all dressed in white, you'll get the ultimate insider's experience.

M. C. Escher: Journey to Infinity (2018)

A portrait of the visionary Dutch artist M. C. Escher (1898-1972), according to his own words, taken from his diary, his correspondence and the texts of his lectures.

Close to Vermeer (2023)

In the year before he retires, Gregor Weber, a globally renowned Vermeer expert and flamboyant curator at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, works on his big dream: the largest Vermeer exhibition ever. Together with Weber, a number of enthusiasts and experts go in search of what truly makes a Vermeer a Vermeer.

Babi Yar. Context (2021)

Nazi troops massacre 30,000 Jews over a three-day period in September 1941. Babyn Yar ravine in Kyiv, Ukraine.

What's Left? (2022)

Witnessing the political left's steady electoral decline over two decades of neoliberal rule, Dutch author and journalist Johan Fretz explores what, if anything, remains of his country's Labour Party and its once-powerful ideals.

Where Dragons Live (2024)

Following the death of their parents, Harriet and her siblings must unpack their childhood fears as they prepare to sell their dragon-filled Oxfordshire home. Between the clutter and the boxes, the siblings find themselves haunted by the memories of their late parents: a dragon-obsessed father and an exacting mother, and the esoteric collections of objects they left behind.

The New Wilderness (2013)

At the heart of one of the most densely populated areas of Europe, in a country where every square meter of land has been meticulously shaped by man, lie the Oostvaardersplassen – a unique experiment in letting nature run its course. In just 40 years, 6,000 hectares of newly formed polder has been transformed into one of Europe’s most dynamic and productive wetlands – home to some of Europe’s rarest birds such as the magnificent white tailed eagle, which hadn’t been seen in the Netherlands since the Middle Ages.

Strike a Pose (2016)

In 1990, seven young male dancers joined Madonna on her most controversial world tour. Their journey was captured in Truth or Dare. As a self-proclaimed 'mother' to her six gay dancers plus straight Oliver, Madonna used the film to make a stand on gay rights and freedom of expression. The dancers became paragons of pride, inspiring people all over the world to dare to be who you are. 25 years later, the dancers share their own stories about life during and after the tour. What does it really take to express yourself?

Thunderdome Never Dies (2019)

The world's most influential Dutch rave makes its legendary comeback. In the 1990s, Thunderdome initiated a total revolution in the nightlife and became the founder of the Netherlands largest cultural export product: dance music. Thunderdome returned in 2017 after five years of silence. Will Thunderdome manage to reinvent itself for a new generation of ravers. Go on a trip down memory lane and look forward to the future with the pioneers of the past and the new faces of today.

Glass (1958)

This short documentary, shot in the glass factories of Leerdam and Schiedam, demonstrates how glass blowers do their work. But thanks to the superbly edited ballet of working hands and the sequence of mechanical motions of the engines, is it especially a cinematic tour de force. That the industry can’t do without man’s involvement is shown in the scene where we hear the voice of Haanstra himself counting the bottles on the conveyor belt, until one bottle breaks…

Are All Men Pedophiles? (2013)

We live in a society that both condemns pedophiles and sexualizes young girls. The film explores the many dangers children face and exposes the systematic violation of children rights by societies, presenting the testimony of both victims and perpetrators. It also looks at how the pedophilia hysteria that has led to the mass incarceration adults and children.

Rain (1929)

A lyrical portrait of Amsterdam and its changing appearance during a rain-shower.

Occupied City (2023)

The past collides with the present in this excavation of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam: a journey from World War II to recent years of pandemic and protest and a provocative, life-affirming reflection on memory, time and what's to come.

The Zoo (1961)

A perfect, fast and hilarious montage. Using images from Artis (Amsterdam Zoo), Bert Haanstra shows that a couple of similarities can be discovered between human and animal. Particularly the manner in which human and ape are confronted with each other, is significant. The images speak for themselves, human voices or commentary is absent. The ironic music of Pim Jacobs does add an extra dimension to the whole. With regards to human and animal Haanstra limits himself for the time being to this short film, recorded with a hidden camera. Later on, in several big films, he would return to this subject.

North Korea: A Day in the Life (2004)

If the cityscapes and patriotic anthems of this film seem a far cry from the bleak landscape of Seoul Train, that's no accident. Dutch filmmaker Pieter Fleury, with the full permission and cooperation of the North Korean government, created this propaganda film that gives us a glimpse of a day in the life of one of the world's most enigmatic societies. A Day in the Life, largely dictated by the North Korean film bureau, follows a typical North Korean family through their daily duties, largely dedicated to the pride in the North Korean nation of comrades and the glory of General Kim Jong Il. The film is meant to extol the success of modern North Korea. But does it? With straight footage and a total absence of narration, viewers may interpret Fleury's film in a slightly different manner than intended

Ants on a Shrimp (2017)

One of the world's best restaurants, the Copenhagen-based NOMA and its renowned chef-owner René Redzepi relocate the restaurant and its entire staff to Tokyo.